Snap and shoot takedown system

ABSTRACT

The Snap and Shoot Takedown System is the first sport specific training system designed for wrestling that combines the capacity for building strength, speed, and precision technique, while providing human-like reactions. Steel pipe is used to provide the primary structure, simulating the human skeletal system. Closed-cell Nitro PVC is used to simulate the human muscle system and to provide protection upon impact. Neoprene is used to simulate the human skin layer and to provide protection from abrasive contact. Closed coil springs are used to supply the strength building resistance and to simulate the mobility of the human joints, allowing the parts of the Snap and Shoot Takedown System to move independently.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Snap and Shoot Takedown System is a unique training device originally developed in October, 2003 for participants in the sport of wrestling. It was designed to help wrestlers improve sport specific power, conditioning, and speed in what is known as the neutral position of wrestling. Additionally, it permits wrestlers to practice takedown techniques and holds from the neutral (standing) position, allowing them to increase their proficiency.

In many sports, there are several “sport specific” training devices and apparatuses that allow athletes to train and improve their skill level, without the use of or need for a partner. In wrestling, however, there are very few sport specific training devices that will allow wrestlers to train without the use of another human partner. In fact, there has been no major training device developed for wrestling since “The Adam Takedown Machine,” which was developed by Carl Adams over 29 years ago.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Snap and Shoot Takedown System was invented in October of 2003 by Carl Adams and Earl E. Walker, Jr. The original intent was to help wrestlers to develop power and precision while attacking the head of their opponent, which would improve the proficiency of their takedowns (taking an opponent from his feet to the mat). Prior to the Snap and Shoot, a wrestler had to repetitively beat on the head of their human partner in training and practice sessions in order to become better at attacking an opponent's head. This typically did not occur because a human partner would not allow or could not withstand this type of training. Therefore, a specific training device that could provide human-like reactions, strength/power building resistance, and superhuman durability was needed to allow wrestlers to practice attacking the head.

The original Snap and Shoot Takedown System consisted of an independently functioning head unit and two independently functioning leg units, all providing spring-loaded resistance. Spring-loaded arms were later added to the head unit in July of 2004, to allow wrestlers to practice even more skills than the original unit, without arms. The arms work both independently and co-dependently with the head portion, forming the upper body unit. The current Snap and Shoot Takedown System is a super durable training device that provides human-like reactions, permitting wrestlers to improve power, conditioning, and speed while perfecting their takedown skills and other holds from the neutral (standing) position. No other skill specific training device currently exists that will allow wrestlers to improve their technique, strength, conditioning, and speed from neutral position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The patent or application file contains 12 diagrams of the Snap and Shoot Takedown Training System and its various parts. Each diagram is unique, representing the various parts of the Snap and Shoot System from a variety of viewpoints. A description of each diagram is presented below.

FIG. 1—41″ length of 2″ Schedule 40 Black Steel Pipe (bent)

FIG. 2—Parts A₁ and A₂ with a Large Coil Spring

FIG. 3—Shoulder/Arm Complex and Neck (Part A₁)

FIG. 4—Parts of Shoulder Arm Complex w/out Neck

FIG. 5—Welded Upper Body Unit

FIG. 6—Partial View of Part Q w/stapled Velcro strip

FIG. 7—Fully Assembled Upper Body Unit

FIG. 8—Leg Unit Parts

FIG. 9—Fully Assembled Leg Units

FIG. 10—Frontal View of Wall Unit

FIG. 11—Frontal View of the Fully Assembled and Installed Machine

FIG. 12—Side View of the Fully Assembled and Installed Machine

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Snap and Shoot Takedown Training System, herein referred to as “the machine” primarily consists of an upper-body unit, two leg pieces (see FIG. 4), and a wall-mounting unit (see FIG. 5). The upper-body unit is offered in two versions; one with arms (see FIG. 3A) and one without arms (see FIG. 3B). Additionally, a Resilite Wrestling Mat is used to cover the wall mounting unit for safety purposes. A total of 29 materials are used to manufacture and assemble the machine (see Table 1).

The manufacturing process involves:

-   -   1. Bending and trimming the 2 inch steel pipe to form the shape         of the upper-body unit and the two leg pieces     -   2. Drilling the necessary hole through upper-body unit for the         shoulder-arm attachment     -   3. Drilling the necessary holes to attach the upper-body unit         and the leg pieces to the wall unit     -   4. Welding a large coil spring to the each of the primary pieces         (i.e., the upper-body unit and the two leg units)     -   5. Welding the shoulder bar to the upper-body unit     -   6. Welding the shoulder-arm attachment together     -   7. Cutting the 2½ inch steel pipe into 6 inch sleeves, and     -   8. Welding the 2½×6 inch sleeves to the wall unit.         A detailed description of the manufacturing process for each         part is provided below.         Upper Body Unit

The structural material used to manufacture the upper-body unit is 2″×41″ schedule 40 black steel pipe. This 41″ length of pipe is bent in two locations at a 45° angle (Angle A) and a 70° angle (Angle B), with 8″ of straight pipe at the top, 5″ in the middle, and 16″ at the bottom (see FIG. 1).

This piece is then cut at the center between Angles A and B, forming two parts, short (Part A₁) and long (Part A₂). A ½″ diameter hole is drilled into Part A₁, 2″ from the bottom and centered on the pipe as it lies flat on its side. Three 9/16 inch holes are drilled into the distal end of Part A₂, starting 3″ from the bottom and spaced 3″ apart. These holes are used to adjust the height of the machine (see FIG. 2).

The bottom of Part A₁ is then inserted 1-2″ into the end of a large spring coil. Similarly, the top of Part A₂ is then inserted 1-2″ into the opposite end of the same large spring coil. Both Part A₁ and Part A₂ are aligned along the same plane and then arc welded into place(see FIG. 2).

Then ½″×18″ steel bar threaded on both ends (Part G) is then inserted and centered through the hole previously drilled into Part A₁. Two ¾×½ inch 90° black reducing elbows (Part I) are screwed onto both ends of the ½″×18″ steel bar, forming two shoulders (see FIG. 3). Two ¾″×2″ black nipples (Part H) are screwed into the open end of the reducing elbows on both sides. Finally, the short end of an arm coil spring (Part J) is slid ½″ to 1″ over the distal end of the ¾″×2″ black nipple (Part H) on either side of the upper-body unit, forming the arms (see FIG. 4).

The bottom of Part A₂ is then fit into a jig so that the distal portion of each arm spring (forearms) can rest 5°-10° up from parallel to the floor are aligned to point 5°-10° inward, toward the center of the upper body unit. Once the alignment is complete, the shoulder-arm complex is mig welded into place (see FIG. 5).

Two 1.5″ ID Round Black Poly Rounded Base Caps (Part W) are slid over the distal end of the spring and secured with Gorilla Grip Tape. The large coil spring is sprayed with white lithium grease to ensure the free movement of the spring. The entire shoulder-arm complex is then wrapped with Gorilla Grip Tape along with the large coil spring connecting Part A₁ to Part A₂. This is done to protect the outer padding and coverings from deterioration due to friction between the materials as the springs move.

PVC foam is used to cover all exposed pipe and springs for padding and also to simulate human musculature. Two pieces of 30″ arm PVC Foam (Part L) are then used to cover both arms from the distal end of the arm coil spring up to Part A_(l). Similarly, a 9″ long piece of PVC (Part M) is used to cover the large coil spring on the upper body unit. The remaining, exposed 2″ pipe on either side of the large coil spring, Parts A₁ and A₂, are also covered with PVC foam using Part N. Part A₂ requires a 14″ piece of PVC foam. To cover Part A₁, a 8″ piece of PVC foam is slit 4-5″ on both sides of one end. This piece is then inserted over the distal end of Part A and pushed down so that the slits can wrap around the shoulder bar, allowing PVC foam to also cover the proximal end of Part A₁. Again, Gorilla Grip Tape is wrapped around all exposed PVC to secure it into place and to add a layer of protection against friction.

To form the head, a 9″×6″ diameter cylinder of polyethylene foam (Part K) is filed into the rough form of a human head, using a double cut file. A 2″×5″ hole is drilled into the bottom of the polyethylene and cleaned out. Construction adhesive is inserted into the drilled hole and spread around the inside wall. Additional construction adhesive is applied around the outer diameter of the distal end of Part A₁ (above the shoulder arm complex). The polyethylene head is then installed onto the distal end of Part A₁, resulting in the 5″ insertion of Part A₁ into the polyethylene head. Gorilla Grip tape is then wrapped around the polyethylene head from top to bottom, securing it to the remaining exposed pipe of Part A₁ and the PVC covering.

The neoprene covering is the final outer layer. This is used to add additional protection to the PVC padding, to simulate human skin, and to provide a washable and reusable outer surface. Vegetable oil is used to coat the Gorilla Grip tape covering the PVC foam to allow the neoprene to slide more easily over the surface. The neck neoprene (Part O) is pulled over Part A₂ and the large coil spring, up to the bottom of the shoulder bar. Two 2″×3″ Velcro pieces are attached at the distal end of the neck Neoprene, one at the top and the other on the underside of the unit.

Two 5″ slits are made on the ventral (front) side of the neoprene head cover (Part Q), just lateral to the stitching, so that the head cover can wrap around the shoulder bar. Two 2″×3″ Velcro pieces are stapled onto the front and back flaps (see FIG. 6). The neoprene head cover is then pulled over the Polyethylene head, with the flaps encasing the shoulder bar and extending down to cover the neck neoprene. The Velcro pieces are then attached to secure the head and neck neoprene together (see FIG. 7 for completed upper-body unit).

Leg Units

As with the upper-body unit, the structural material used to manufacture each leg unit is a 2″×52″ inch schedule 40 black steel pipe. This 52″ length of pipe is cut into one 27″ piece and one 25″ piece. The short piece (Part B) is bent at a 135° angle (Angle C) 2½″ from its proximal end, leaving 4½″ of straight pipe at its distal end. The long piece (Part C) is bent at a 70° angle (Angle D) 5″ from its proximal end, leaving 12″ of straight pipe at its distal end. A 9/16″ hole is drilled into the proximal end of Part B, 3 inches from the bottom and centered on the pipe as it lies flat on its side (see FIG. 8).

The distal end of Part B is inserted 1-2″ into a large coil spring. The proximal end of Part C is inserted 1-2″ into the opposite end of the large coil spring. Parts B and C are then aligned along the same plane and then arc welded to the large coil spring.

As with the upper-body unit, PVC covering is used to add padding and to simulate the muscle structure of a human. The large coil spring is sprayed with white lithium grease to ensure the free movement of the spring. Then, Gorilla Grip Tape is wrapped around the large coil spring to protect the PVC covering from deterioration with the movement of the spring. The large coil spring is covered by a 9″ length piece of PVC foam. The exposed portions of Parts B and C are also covered by 14″ and 26″ length pieces of PVC foam (Part N), respectively.

Construction adhesive is spread around the inside wall of a 2 inch PVC cap (Part S). This cap is inserted onto the distal end of Part B. The PVC foam is then pulled down over the cap and glued to the outer wall of the cap. Gorilla Grip tape is wrapped around the bottom of the PVC cap and the entire length of exposed PVC foam to help secure the cap to the pipe and to protect the PVC foam from punctures and other deterioration.

A 46″×6″ sleeve of neoprene is pulled over the entire length of each leg unit to protect the PVC foam and to simulate a skin layer (see FIG. 9 for completed leg units).

Wall Unit

The wall unit is comprised of a 6″×24″×¼″ steel plate (Part F) and three 2½″×6″ steel pipe sleeves (Part E). Six 9/16″ diameter holes are drilled into the corners of the steel plate, ½″ ″ from the edges. A 9/16″ diameter hole is drilled through the center of the walls of the three pipe sleeves. The three pipe sleeves are welded to the steel plate at equal distances, with the holes of the sleeves aligned and facing each other. Two more 9/16″ diameter holes are drilled on either side of the center sleeve, one at the top and another at the bottom, to prevent the steel plate from flexing once the complete unit is installed and in use (see FIG. 10).

Installation & Assembly (see instructions)

Assembling the machine consists of installing the wall unit and then sliding the upper-body unit and the leg units into the sleeves of the installed wall unit. A location with a solid wall must be selected to install the wall unit, preferably a solid concrete wall. For safety purposes, it is also strongly suggested that wrestling mats be installed around this area and on the floor in front of the intended location of the machine.

At this location, measure 23″ from the top of the floor mat. Draw a horizontal line at this point and use a level to ensure that the line is straight. Place the bottom of the wall unit at this line and trace around the edges of the wall unit. This will leave you with a 6″×24″ box outline of the wall unit. (If wall mats are already installed, one can use a box cutter or utility knife to cut a 6″ high×24″ wide area through the wall mats.)

Now, while holding the wall unit in the 6″×24″ outline (or cut-out), a dark colored pencil should be used to outline the six holes in the wall unit. This can be done by inserting the tip of the pencil into each hole and tracing around the outer edge.

To drill holes into the wall, a ½″ drill bit should be used. It is important to drill dead center in each one of the holes. It is recommended to drill the two top holes, first. Then, insert a drop-in anchor (Part T) into each of these two holes. Using a rubber mallet or setting tool, hammer the two anchors into the holes so that they are flush with the wall. Now, align the two top holes in the wall unit with the anchors and partially screw in two hex bolts (Part U) so that the wall plate can hang in place. Now, the remaining four holes can be drilled directly through the wall plate into the wall. Again, a drop-in anchors (Part U) should be inserted into the remaining holes and hammered flush, using a rubber mallet. Now, the remaining hex bolts can be installed. All hex bolts should be tightened flush to the wall unit to ensure that it stays in place.

Once the wall unit is in place, the leg units are then inserted into the two outer sleeves and secured with a fast pin (Part V). Finally, the upper-body unit is inserted into the center sleeve of the wall unit. The upper-body unit has three height adjustments. A clevis pin can be inserted into either of these height adjusting holes to secure it into place. Finally, the wall unit cover should be attached to the wall unit using Velcro strips (see FIG. 11 for fully installed and assembled machine). 

1. What Carl Adams and Earl Walker, herein referred to as “we,” claim as our original invention is the insertion and welding of metal pipe into the inner portion of coil springs to create structure and provide resistance for the Snap and Shoot Takedown System, herein referred to as “the machine.”
 2. What we claim as our original invention is the bending of metal pipe to provide the primary structure and a human-like form for the machine.
 3. What we claim as our original invention is the use of threaded metal pipe, and pipe accessories (i.e. 90° elbows and 2″ nipples) to form the shoulder complex of the upper-body unit.
 4. What we claim as our original invention is the dome-shaping and use of polyethylene to simulate a human head for the machine.
 5. What we claim as our original invention is the use of black Nitro PVC foam to provide padding to the machine and to simulate the muscle structure of a human arm, leg, and neck.
 6. What we claim as our original invention is the use of neoprene to provide protection to the black foam padding of the machine and to simulate a skin-like covering.
 7. What we claim as our original invention is the welding of three 2½″×6″ steel pipe, 7″ apart, to form the “3-sleeve” configuration of the wall unit to house the upper-body unit and the two leg units of the machine. 